And while the massive crowds made getting around the city quite challenging, the march itself was an inclusive and inspiring accomplishment. It's safe say that it met the goal that the organizers set: To "stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families."

Couldn't make it to the march in Washington DC? Here's a timeline of how the history-making event looked from deep inside the crowd.

1/

The day started early: I picked up the Metro at a stop about seven miles away from the march's starting point. Even at 8:30 a.m., the trains were packed full of marchers.

The train at East Falls Church station.
Caroline Praderio/INSIDER

2/

After a heavily delayed train ride, I arrived. But the crowds were already so big that I had to stand several blocks away from the march starting point.

I was about four city blocks away from the main stage.
Caroline Praderio/INSIDER

3/

But the march organizers had set up a series of video screens so that more participants could see and hear what was going on.

Here's what the screens looked like.
Caroline Praderio/INSIDER

4/

It was 10 a.m. and the crowd felt electrified with excitement. People were spontaneously cheering every few seconds.

Chelsea Pineda/INSIDER

5/

The crowd was immensely diverse — especially when it came to age. I noticed lots of marchers who were either elderly (some in wheelchairs!) or very young.

Chelsea Pineda/INSIDER

6/

That energy stayed high while a series of speakers and musicians took the stage, including actress America Ferrera.

Caroline Praderio/INSIDER

7/

The crowd went wild when a speaker from the Natural Resources Defense Council said that 500,000 marchers had descended on the city.

Chelsea Pineda/INSIDER

8/

Feminist icon Gloria Steinem took the stage not long after. "I wish you could see yourselves," she said, addressing the audience. "It's like an ocean,"